Only Temporary

Sometimes I feel like I’m irrelevant. Like why do I need to be here if I’m not serving any purpose? I was born a month early so I’m kind of small so I was ignored most of my life but my height makes up for it. I just started my freshman year of high school in a new school called Melun High. Me and my dad moved to Melun Town in Michigan. About two years ago, my mom and grandma passed away in a car accident. I was close with both of them so it was horrible for me. I never saw their bodies at the funeral because I was too afraid. My dad told me that they were in a better place but I wasn’t sure that was true.

My dad is a big-time lawyer so he makes a lot of money. We live in a big house with four bedrooms and a basement. My stepmother, Cora, and my stepbrother, Luis, moved in a few weeks after I got settled with the school. I only met Luis once and now we’ll be sleeping on a wall apart from each other. He’s two years older than me, him being 17 and me being 15. We don’t get along at all. He’s into rock and metal music and I’m into hip-hop and rap. We hate each other’s friends too and we never talk in school, even though our parents are getting married in two months. My dad told me I have to be nice to him but I don’t see the point if we hate each other.

My boyfriend, Eric, is the same age as Luis and they play basketball together. So sometimes I do have to see them at the same time but no one knows that Luis is my stepbrother. Eric is amazing at basketball and he’s the sweetest guy I’ve ever met in my life. We’ve been together for three and a half months with no problems but now that school is starting, we barely see each other.

“Mia, dinner!” My dad calls. I climb off my loft bed and jog downstairs. Cora is putting plates on the table.

“Family dinner.” She says with a smile. I glare at my dad, who sits with Luis at the table. We never eat together. My dad knows that I don’t like Cora or Luis. He knows that no one can replace my mother. Luis stares at his phone and doesn’t look at me.

“Spaghetti and meatballs.” Cora squeezes my shoulder and pulls out a chair for me. I sit down and continue to glare at my dad. He smiles apologetically.

“So, how was your first week of school?” Cora asks me.

“Fine.” I stab my plate with my fork.

“Tell us some details.” She pokes me and I try not to stab her with my fork.

“School was fine. It was normal. Basic.” I told her. She smiles.

“That’s good. How about you Luis?” She says.

“School was horrible.” He mutters.

“It can’t be that bad, kid.” My dad says. Luis doesn’t comment back or even look up.

“Well, I got a new case today. Not a big one but I’ll make some money off of it.” My dad tells us.

“Really? That’s wonderful. What’s it about?” Cora asks.

“Just another divorce. Abusive, toxic relationship. Pretty normal.” He shrugs.

“I’m sure you will do fine. You always do, Josh.” Cora says. I can’t take this. I get up and walk away. My dad calls for me but I don’t turn around. I go back to my room dn climb up on my bed. I like Cora but I’m not used to another woman at the table that is my mom. I grab my phone and call Eric.

“Hey. I’m practicing. Can I call you back?”

“Are you at the park?” I ask.

“Yeah. You can come down here if you want.” He says.

“Okay. I’ll be there.”

“Kay”

I hang up and grab a Hoodia from my closet. I pull on my sneakers and grab my phone. I jog downstairs.

“Hey, where are you going?” My dad asks. I ignore him and leave. I jog two blocks to the basketball courts around the corner. I spot Eric and his friends, Trey, Max, and Frankie.

“Hey.” He kisses me, “sorry I’m so sweaty.”

“It’s fine. Two on two?” I ask. Trey collapses by my feet.

“Yeah. Me and Trey against Max and Frankie.” He says. I pet Trey’s hair.

“You alright?” I ask. He looks up at the sky.

“I play hard, Princess.”

Trey, Max, and Frankie call me Princess Mia because they think Eric treats me like royalty. Which he does. Eric picks me up and carries me onto the court.

“One on one.” He says. Frankie passes me the ball.

“I’m horrible at this.” I mutter.

“I know.” He laughs. I pass him the ball and he passes it back. I make one shot in ten minutes. Frankie laughs uncontrollably and Trey cheers me on. Eventually, Eric gets tired. It’s dark now. The five of us go to the football field and lay on the grass.

“So, you’re going home, Trevor?” Eric asks. I lay my head on his chest.

“Nah, man. I can’t get a date by then.” Trey throws the ball in the air.

“Go with me.” Max says.

“I’m not gay, Maxim.” Trey punches him.

“I’m just saying, me, you, and Frankie can go together.” Max sits up, “come on. It’s our first homecoming.”

“Fine, but I’m not dancing with you.” Frankie mutters. Max tries to kiss him and he rolls away. Frankie and Max like each other and they flirt all the time but nothing has happened with them yet.

Eric walks me home around nine.

“I’ll pick you up at noon tomorrow, okay?” He stands at the end of the driveway with me.

“Okay. Where are we going?” I ask.

“Hmmm...I don’t know yet.” He kisses me, “you’ll find out, I guess.”

“Okay. Text me when you get home.” I tug my hoodie around me.

“Okay. Goodnight, love.”

“Night.”

I go in the house and close the door. My dad and Cora are watching TV in the living room and Luis is nowhere in sight.

“Mia? Is that you, honey?” My dad calls. I go into the living room.

“Hey.” I mutter.

“Hey. Where’d you go?” He asks.

“I was playing basketball with Eric and them.” I told him. Cora looks mad.

“You need to tell us where you are going before you leave, Mia. We were worried.” She says, ” I think she should be grounded.” I glare at her.

“You are not my mother. I know my curfew. I’m home an hour earlier.” I turn to walk away, “and don’t tell my dad how to raise me.” I walk away calmly and go to my room. My door is wide open and Luis is sitting on my bed.

“What are you doing?!” I yell. He jumps and stands up.

“I-I was just...” He stares at me.

“What?!”

He looks scared.

“Um, I was just worried about you.” He says. I stare at him.

“You’re a bad liar.” I told him.

“I was. I really was.” He steps closer to me, ” you left so quickly and i-”

“Get out.” I say.

“Mia, i-”

“Get out, Luis.” I repeat.

“Mia, I really need to talk to you.” He says. I grab him by the collar of his shirt and shove him out of the room.

“I’m not your sister, Luis. We don’t talk.” I say and slam the door.

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When I wake up, I text Eric about Luis.

-hey

~hey. Sorry I fell asleep when I got home

-its fine

~what’s up? Are you excited for today?

-yeah but I have to talk to Luis first.

~Luis? Why? You hate him

- I know but he wanted to talk last night and I was kind of mean to him.

~alright well let me know how it goes. Text me when you’re ready.

-okay

I get up and go to Luis’ room. He’s sitting at his desk, with his back to me.

“What?” He says without looking at me. I lean on the doorway.

“What did you want?” I ask. He spins around in the chair.

“Who cares? You’re not my sister.” He says. I sigh and walk into the room.

“I am in this moment. So talk.” I say. He glares at me.

“I want a real heart to heart with my step sister who lost her mom the same way I lost my dad. Not my step sister who hates me for no reason.” He says. I stare at him.

“What happened to your dad?” I ask.

“Sit.” He points at his bed but I don’t move. “My dad was killed in a car accident. He was in a sedan and he got hit by a eighteen wheeler.” That’s the form in his eyes, ” four weeks ago.”

“Four weeks ago?” I sit down, “but you mom is already engaged to my dad.”

“Exactly but...she doesn’t love him” he says.

“What do you mean?” I ask, “of course she does.”

“No. No she doesn’t. She’s going to divorce him six months after they are married. For money.” He says. He hands me a notebook. I open to the first page and it’s all written out in cursive. I read it over twice and then handed it back to him.

“No. That’s not... no. ” I get up and go to the door. ” You’re lying.”

“Mia-”

I turn and walk away. I text Eric to pick me up and then get dressed. While I’m putting on my hoodie, Luis comes in and closes the door.

“Leave me alone, Luis.” I told him.

“No.” He grabs my arm, “you have to listen to me, Mia.” He narrows his bright blue eyes at me. His hair is a mess and he looks like he hasn’t slept in days.

“Mia, I’m telling you the truth. My mom does not want this. She does not love him or you. I’m trying to protect you.” He says. I shove him away.

“Why?! I don’t like you!” I yell. He glares at me.

“I don’t care what you like! You’re my sister now whether you like it or not. And if not, then you need to help me split them up before they get married.” He goes to the door, “hate me all you want, Mia. Most people do.”

I go bowling with Eric for a few hours and then we grab dinner. When I get home, my dad and Cora are arguing.

“It’s not expensive, John. You’re a lawyer, you can afford it.”

“Cora, I need to finish working.”

“You’re always working! Pay attention to me sometime.”

“This is a big case, honey. Please just let me work.”

“Ugh, you’re always like this! You never even talk to me or Luis! Everything is about work and Mia!”

“She lost her mother, Cora.”

I stop listening and go upstairs to Luis’ room.

“I’m sorry.” I say. Heb Shrugs, sitting at his desk with his back to me. His long hair is tied up in a small bun and he’s only wearing pajama pants and slippers.

“Luis...I want to help.” I say. He looks up but not at me.

“I don’t need your help. Leave me alone.” He says. I walk in and slam the door behind me.

“I’m helping you, Luis and I’m not taking no for an answer. This isn’t right. My dad deserves better.” I sit on the bed. ’So tell me what I need to do.” He turns toward me.

“Fine. You need to take all of his attention. Cora will get angry and so will he. We need to cause arguments between them. Got it?” Luis hands me a notebook, “Here’s some ideas.”

“Thanks.” I got up and went to the door, “Hey, are you going home?”

“No. Why?” He says.

“You should go with us. Me, Eric, Frankie-”

“No. Get out.” He says. I take no for an answer and leave.

Over the next few days, I drag my dad to the mall for a dress and shoes for homecoming. We go out to eat, go bowling, and play basketball. He doesn’t seem to notice all the attention but Cora does. She gives me dirty looks and doesn’t ask about my day anymore. We all eat dinner separately and she doesn’t cook. My dad hasn’t questioned anything yet but Luis says I’m doing a great job. In the meantime, he contacted his mom’s ex-boyfriend and was able to get him to start talking to her again.

I curl up on the couch between Luis and my dad. Cora sits on the other side of Luis. We watch a movie in complete silence for a while until Cora gets up.

“Hey. Are you going to bed?” My dad asks her.

“Yeah.” She starts to walk away.

“Okay. I’ll be there in a second.” He gets up.

“Don’t bother,” Cora replies, “I’m not sleeping here.”

“What do you mean?” My dad grabs her hand. She stares at him.

“We’re done, John. I don’t want to do this anymore.” She says. My dad backs up from her.

“Cora...what are you talking about? I thought we-”

“No. There is no we anymore, Johnathan. I’m leaving.” She takes the ring off her finger and hands it to him. Me and Luis watch her walk away and my dad goes to his room. We sit in silence, not knowing whether to celebrate or feel bad.

“You think we did the right thing?” Luis asks.

“Ues. For my dad’s future and for hours. But for now, he’ll just have to move on.” I told him. He grabs my hand.

“What about us, Mia? Do you still hate me?” The way he looks at me, pierces my heart. He’s a jerk but he’s alone. He has no one.

“I don’t hate you. I never did.” I told him. He hugs me, squeezes me.

“Where are you guys going to go?” I ask him.

“I don’t-”

Cora walks in the room with a suitcase.

“I’m going to Florida. You’re staying here, Luis.” She says. Luis jumps up.

“You’re going to Florida?! You’re just going to leave me here?!” He yells. I feel insulted by the way he referred to her ‘leaving him’.

“I’ll come back soon. Just listen to John and take care of yourself.” She turns and leaves, without hugging him goodbye. Luis stands there, staring at the space where she stood.

“She’s not coming back...is she?” He whispers.

“She will. Soon. But for now, you’ll have me and my dad, okay?” I stand up and hug him.

We go to bed and pretend like nothing ever happened.